Applying for a residence permit extension for refugees

Residence permits are issued for a limited period of time. An extension is possible if the requirements that had to be met when the permit was first issued are still met.

There will be no extension if the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has notified you that the conditions for revocation of refugee recognition are met.

Furthermore, your residence permit will not be extended if you have been deported due to a particularly serious reason for deportation.

You must urgently ensure that you submit an application for an extension or issue of another residence title (e.g. a settlement permit) before your residence title expires. If the application is submitted in good time, i.e. before the expiry of the time limit, your continued residence is deemed to be permitted until the decision of the immigration authority with all subsequent effects (e.g. authorization to pursue gainful employment). A late application (after the end of the time limit specified in the residence permit) can result in considerable legal disadvantages.

As a rule, you must apply for the extension of your residence permit in person - in good time before your residence permit expires - at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence.

Arrange an appointment with your local foreigners authority. You can also find out about the application process and which documents you need to submit and in what form on the website of the relevant immigration authority.

If your application is approved, the foreigners authority will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT) in the form of a check card with a new validity date

For information on the duration of the procedure until the residence permit is issued, please contact the relevant immigration authority.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

• The residence permit will be extended if the requirements that had to be met when it was first issued are still met.
• Existence of an application for extension
• There must be no grounds for refusal.

• Application for renewal
• current biometric photo
• previous residence permit
• Proof of identity, if available, e.g. passport, ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, certificate of citizenship

Further documents depend on the circumstances and can be requested from your contact person.

You are exempt from the fee for extending your residence permit.

If you are issued a new travel document for refugees, the fee is 60 euros from the age of 24 and 38 euros up to the age of 24.

Apply for an extension of your residence permit at your local immigration office in good time before it expires. You can find out about this from your local immigration office.

Deadline: 1 month

As a rule, you will be informed of the duration of the procedure (approx. 6 to 8 weeks) by the responsible immigration authority when you apply for an extension.

Note: The residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit.

The decision of the immigration authority can be appealed to the court named in the decision.

You will receive this from your local foreigners authority

Online procedure occasionally possible

Personal appearance required: yes

Because you are in possession of a residence permit based on the granting of refugee status, you are entitled to a settlement permit if you have been in possession of the residence permit for five years and meet the requirements stipulated for this.

If you are also able to support yourself and your family largely (at least 75%) from your own income and have a command of the German language (equivalent to level C 1), you will be granted a settlement permit if you have been in possession of a residence permit for three years.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thuringian Ministry for Migration, Justice and Consumer Protection (TMMJV)

17.03.2023

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.